Congratulations to CCHS Class of 2021!!!
Central Catholic High School’s Class of 2021 graduated on May 24. The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, and the 101st commencement ceremony was held in the Sullivan Center.
Members of the Class of 2021 will attend a variety of colleges, universities, or trade schools, including:
Ave Maria University, Bowling Green State University, Cornell, Eastern Michigan, Franciscan University, Indiana State, Kent State, Lourdes University, Michigan State, New York University, The Ohio State, Siena Heights, Syracuse, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of Toledo, and the US Military Academy at West Point.
The class earned many honors and distinctions. Here are some of the highlights:
Valedictorian: Krista Roessle - Krista will attend Cornell University and study chemical engineering.
Salutatorian: Owen Thompson - Owen will attend Bowling Green State University and study political science.
Heritage Speaker: Allison Montanaro - Allison will attend Bowling Green State University.
The Bishop’s Cross: The highest honor bestowed upon any graduate of a Catholic High School in the Diocese of Toledo is the Bishop's Cross, which dates back to the year 1873. It is given to one boy and one girl from the graduating class. Students who receive the Bishop’s Cross are Catholic students who clearly strive to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. They manifest an active life of Christian charity in the way they relate to and serve their neighbor. These students are respectful, kind, virtuous, considerate, authentic, positive, have a strong moral character and prayer life, respect and a love for learning.
The Class of 2021 Bishop’s Cross recipients were:
Liam Brown
Liam was a member of the National Honor Society, Spiritual Commission, football and basketball teams, and Glee Club. He was the head student musician/worship leader, a SuperFella Top 5 candidate, a participant in Ohio Youth and Government, a Kairos leader, retreat leader and morning prayer leader. He will attend Franciscan University to study theology and catechetics.
Maria Laws
Maria was a member of the National Honor Society, Insignis Society, Spiritual Commission Co-President, Irish Marching/Concert/Pep band as a drum major, and Student Senate. She will attend Franciscan University where she will major in writing with a Latin minor.
Evans Scholarship - KeShaun Bailey
This scholarship is awarded to golf caddies, and it covers full tuition and housing. Evans scholars are selected based on a strong caddie record, excellent grades, outstanding character and demonstrated financial need. KeShaun plans to major in environmental biology with a minor in business at The Ohio State University.
Youth of the Year Award - Kevin Bishop
The Youth of the Year Award recognizes hard-working high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership. The Exchange Club of Toledo Selects Youth of the Year for that school year from local Toledo high schools. The club's Youth of the Year advances to district competition, and ultimately, an opportunity to vie for the prestigious National Youth of the Year Award.
A.C.E. Award - Alyssa Pacholski
A.C.E. stands for Accepting the Challenge of Excellence. This program recognizes high school students who have made a dramatic change in attitudes or performance during their high school years that have enabled the students to overcome adversities and prepare for graduation. The Exchange Club of Toledo awards one ACE Award to a deserving student in Toledo each year. The Clubs then submit their top A.C.E. Award winner to the district competition. Winners at the district level then have an opportunity to compete for the National A.C.E. Award.
Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Awards - Teagan Hunt and Owen Thompson
These are awarded to a senior male and female student-athletes who have displayed exemplary sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.
OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Awards - Megan Fisher & Kevin Bishop
This award recognizes the senior boy and girl with the highest grade-point average who have received a minimum of four varsity letters in all sports combined.
Margaret Mary Volz Scholar-Athlete Award & The Tom McHugh Award are presented to the one female and one male student-athlete meeting the following criteria: each has lettered in at least two sports this year; each has maintained at least a 2.0 grade-point average after seven semesters; each has maintained a good discipline record, and each is the top ranking student-athlete according to the awards criteria as established by the Athletic Committee of the CCHS Board of Directors.
Madelyn DuBois & Owen Kitz
These seniors were recognized as having submitted on record the most hours of service of the Class of 2021 during their four years at Central Catholic:
Kevin Bishop (195.35 hrs) & Jacob Peters (181.75 hrs)
Reverend James E. Steinle Senior Leadership Award is given in honor of a former principal of Central Catholic. Father Steinle was a person who exhibited leadership by example, as well as by words and programs, often without any formal recognition for himself.
This award recognizes seniors who have demonstrated strong qualities of leadership and service, also without receiving formal recognition. The recipient of this award is a leader without necessarily holding an office of any kind. It is the character and example of the individual that has earned them this honor. The recipients were: Nicole Knerr & Jacob Peters.
Revs. Robert & Martin Donnelly Christian Discipleship Award is named in honor of Central Catholic Alumni, the Very Reverend Robert Donnelly (Class of 1949) and his brother, the Reverend Martin Donnelly (Class of 1956). Following their Christian formation here at Central Catholic, both were ordained priests for the Diocese of Toledo, with Robert later being ordained a Bishop. Fr. Marty served as principal, then Pastor-President of Central Catholic. Both Bishop and Father Donnelly devoted themselves to the ongoing formation of young people into Christian Disciples as well as many Ecumenical efforts.
The Donnelly Christian Discipleship Award is presented to students who exemplify the life of a Disciple of Jesus Christ - seeking to know, love, and serve God and our neighbor. This year, the Donnelly Christian Discipleship Awards were presented to: Kevin Bishop & Elsie Noyes.
